Eloise Parker Litz

Eloise Litz of East Ridge, Tennessee, passed away on Monday, August 13, 2018, 43 days after her 98th birthday.

Eloise was born on July 1, 1920 in Johnson City, Tennessee, the eldest of four children. She was blessed with nurturing parents who encouraged her inquisitive mind, playful spirit and love of music. Eloise enrolled in Milligan College as a voice major, with plans to become an opera singer. On a visit home during her freshman year she met a handsome young man named David Litz and they began a friendship that became a life-long love. She earned her degree in Music Education and began her thirty year career teaching choral music, social studies and civics. Upon David’s return from WW II military service they married, and ten months later they were blessed with their daughter Nancy.

Eloise taught at Normal Park Elementary, East Chattanooga Elementary, Highland Park Elementary, East Side High and Dalewood Junior High. Her greatest joy came from sharing with her students a love and appreciation for classical music. She adjudicated junior and senior high school choruses throughout Tennessee, took her own school choirs to all-state competitions, and directed various church choirs.

After retiring from teaching, Eloise became a featured speaker at local and regional events, including BellSouth conferences throughout the South. She described herself as a “motivator of the frozen chosen” and “one of God’s clowns” and declared, “My mission is joy!”

She was a member of First Baptist Church Chattanooga, where she was an active member of the Waters Sunday school class. Eloise was also active for many years in the Alpha Xi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, a sorority whose members are recognized for high performance in teaching. 

She is survived by her daughter, Nancy (Steve) Oliver, granddaughter Kathryn (John) Wierwille, grandson David (Alana) Oliver, great-granddaughters Sara Kathryn, Leona and Eloise Wierwille, and numerous nephews and nieces and great nephews and nieces.

A funeral service will be held at 1 PM at First Baptist Church Chattanooga with Rev. Dr. Timothy George Officiating. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in memory of Eloise Litz to the International Rescue Committee Atlanta Office, 2305 Parklake Dr. NE, Suite 100, Atlanta, Georgia 30345; or to The School of Fine Arts, First Baptist Church Chattanooga, 401 Gateway Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37402; or to Delta Kappa Gamma Scholarship Fund, 416 W. Twelfth Street, Austin, TX 78701-1817. 

Visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to offer condolences and view the memorial tribute. 

The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 PM on Wednesday, August 15 at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Rd.  

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.